Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced last week the 2008 grant cycle for the Local Parks and Recreation Fund and Recreational Trails Program, with approximately $13.1 million in grant money available to be distributed to various local governments and other eligible organizations.
Anticipated available funding for the Local Parks and Recreation Fund for acquisition and development is approximately $10.5 million, and $2.6 million has been set aside for the Recreational Trails Program. These amounts may change pending state and federal legislation. Applications are due no later than March 7, 2008, and an overview of the grant guidelines includes:
Local Parks and Recreation Fund Grants provide state funding for the purchase of land for parks, natural areas, greenways, and the purchase of land for recreational facilities. Funds also may be used for trail development and capital projects in parks, natural areas and greenways.
– Eligibility: Each county government and incorporated municipality is allowed to submit one grant application per cycle. Cities and counties may apply jointly for one project in addition to applying for one city or county project, but a government that currently has an open project in this category of programs is not eligible to re-apply until the open project is completed.
– Grant Awards: LPRF grants require a 50 percent match, with a maximum possible award of $500,000. By statute, at least 60 percent of the funds allocated for these grants will be awarded to municipal governments.
Recreational Trails Program Grants are provided through the federal Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act. The Department of Environment and Conservation administers this program in Tennessee, and the grants may be used for non-routine maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation trailside or for trailhead facilities such as restrooms, shelters and parking lots, construction of new trails and acquisition of land for recreational trails or corridors.
– Eligibility: Federal, state and local government agencies may apply.
– Grant Awards: RTP grants require a 20 percent match, with a maximum possible grant award of $100,000.
The department’s Division of Recreation Educational Services will hold a series of workshops across the state beginning mid-October to assist communities interested in the grant application process.
West Tennessee Workshops
· Wednesday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Krider Performing Arts Center in Paris
· Thursday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – College Hill Center in Brownsville
East Tennessee Workshops
· Monday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Renaissance Center in Kingsport
· Tuesday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Farragut Town Hall in Farragut
· Wednesday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Athens Regional Park/Agricultural Center in Athens
Middle Tennessee Workshops
· Tuesday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Patterson Park Community Center in Murfreesboro
· Wednesday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Civic Center in Gallatin
To learn more about the grants available from the Environment and Conservation’s Division of Recreation Educational Services and for more information regarding the application process and manual for both grants, please visit http://www.tdec.net/recreation or call (615) 532-0748.